Mt. Kilimanjaro ::
Rising 19,340 ft high, snow capped and wreathed in veils of clouds, stands
Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and one of the largest free standing mountains in the world.
Kilimanjaro has three extinct volcanoes: Kibo (19,340 ft.), Mawenzi (17,000 ft.) and Shira (13,000 ft.). Views of the surrounding landscape are spectacular from all the three peaks. The East African Rift valley is visible from Kibo, the highest of the three peaks of the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro takes you through five distinct climates that are approximately 3,300 ft. apart. Each climate varies in rainfall, temperature, flora, and fauna. You can reach the summit via five different routes through the five vegetation zones:
- Lower slopes (below 6,000 ft.) - The Wachagaa people use the highly fertile soil of the Lower Slopes to cultivate banana and maize. In the uncultivated areas, the bush and lowland forest vegetation still support small animals, birds and many wild flowers.
- Forest (6,000 ft. -10,000 ft.) - Because the forest zone receives much of the rainfall, it is the richest zone with high biological diversity. It is also home to most of the wildlife found on the slopes of Kilimanjaro.
- Heather and moorland (10,000 ft -13,000 ft.) - Forest like conditions turn to moorland characterized by heath-like vegetation and abundant wild flowers - from Lichens to two giant species, the lobelia and senecio which can grow up to 12 ft. high.
- Alpine Zone (13,000 ft. -16,500 ft.) - The alpine zone with semi-desert conditions are not favorable to plants besides lichens.
- Summit (above 16,500 ft.) - Wildlife is virtually nonexistent at these conditions especially at night when the temperature drops below freezing. This area has the beautiful glaciers which can be seen miles away.
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is definitely an adventure of a lifetime!
